Jurgen Klopp has told Newcastle United they should have no doubts about starting former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius in next weekend’s League Cup final against Manchester United.
The Magpies saw first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope sent off in the first half for deliberate handball as the Reds ran out 2-0 winners. And while Martin Dubravka was brought on to go in goal, the Slovakian is cup-tied having played in the competition when on loan at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
With Karl Darlow out on loan at Hull City, Karius is in contention to start at Wembley as a result after joining the Magpies on a short-term deal back in September. Should he play, it will be the German’s debut for the club.
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Karius hasn’t played a competitive match since starting for Union Berlin against Hoffenheim in February 2021. Meanwhile, his last appearance for an English side was his nightmare performance for Liverpool in their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in 2018.
But despite his lack of action and memories of that loss in Kiev, Klopp has backed Karius to deliver for Newcastle at Wembley if selected.
“Yeah, I heard about that,” the German told reporters. “I think they can absolutely rely on him, there’s no doubt about that. He’s a great goalie, that’s why Newcastle signed him.
“But of course unlucky for Nick Pope in the moment. Why can’t Dubravka play? (Cup-tied) Ah.
“Absolutely (a good opportunity for him). This is what he (Karius) was working for all the time, absolutely.”
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